Page 70 of The Tracker's Revenge

Chapter 24

The next morning, aftertraining with Eric, my second order of business was to swing by the agency, check on Mr. Taylor’s potion,andstart Mekare’s after her stuff was dropped off. Rosalina and I did a little dance, our moods only dampened by Walter Knight’s funeral, which had been arranged with expediency and would take place in the late afternoon.

I’d asked Eric if he was going, but he hadn’t decided.

“Normally, I wouldn’t,” he said, “but I like Jake.”

I’d paused and stared at him. I didn’t think I’d ever heard him say he liked anything, not even puppies or French fries.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that.” He flashed ayou’ll keep your mouth shut if you know what’s good for youglare at me.

I’d done just that, pressing my lips together into a thin line, but aware that he was making some progress, moving from Cro-magnon to Neanderthal. Wow, maybe soon he would make it to full Homosapien, even one with feelings.

Now, Rosalina and I ate lunch at her desk, doom scrolling on our phones.

“There was another vampire attack on werewolves, this time in Sunset Hills. Five dead,” she said, thumbing through the news, which lately was little less than a war report.

“Any mention of hybrid monsters?”

“No.”

A wave of apprehension rolled over me. Bernadetta and Stephen had the dagger back, what were they waiting for? Not that I was looking forward to seeing the streets of St. Louis flooded by monsters, but the suspense was killing me.

Disgusted, Rosalina set the phone down and stuffed a piece of lettuce in her mouth. “Have you heard from Leo?” she asked, changing subjects.

I shook my head, trying not to let my concern for my brother compound with everything else going on.

“He’s still off trying to become a powerful mage.” That was the latest excuse he’d given us for not visiting. When he’d left, he was a White Mage, the lowest level. He’d advanced to the next level, Brass Mage, but he had a way to go to make it to Midnight Mage, which was his goal.

“I’m sure he’s fine,” she enthused.

“Yeah, he’s just an inconsiderate jerk. He’ll get an earful from Mom when he finally gets in touch. I’m sure.”

“And he’ll deserve it.”

“Yep!”

When we were done eating, we halfheartedly headed toward the funeral home. I parked my Camaro in the first empty spot I could find. It seemed all the werewolves in St. Louis had turned up for this. I stared at the forlorn building, a knot forming in my gut.

“Are you all right?” Rosalina asked.

I shook my head.

“I’m sorry. Would another donut help?” She reached in the back of the car and retrieved the box we’d bought on the way here. She peered through the clear top. “There’s one left. It’s chocolate.”

Rosalina had eaten one out of the dozen, and I’d polished off the rest. Normally, I only ate half a dozen, but fleeting about was doing a number on me.

“No, I’m good.” The sight of that last donut was tempting, but I didn’t want to risk getting my dress dirty. It was a miracle it’d come out unscathed after all the donuts I’d eaten on the way here. Of course, when you’ve practically become a vacuum cleaner, maybe worrying about crumbs on your clothes was unnecessary.

I chewed on my bottom lip, worrying about running into my father, my half-siblings, Jake’s fiancée.

“Jake said he would understand if you didn’t come,” Rosalina reminded me. She had talked to him on the phone earlier to ask if there was anything he needed.

I inhaled a shuddering breath. “What kind of... friend would I be if I can’t be with him at a time like this?”

She nodded. Rosalina understood things like this too well. She was the kind of person who always did the right thing. Nothing deterred her. She was brave even under the worst circumstances, and, with her example, she taught me to be the same.